Minister of Interior and Public Security Ahmat Mahamat Bachir of Chad
Seventy-two people have been killed in clashes between supporters of a radical Islamic preacher and police who went to arrest him in Chad, Interior Minister Ahmat Mahamat Bachir has said.
SEVENTY-TWO people were killed in clashes between supporters of a radical Islamic preacher and police who went to arrest him in Chad, Interior Minister Ahmat Mahamat Bachir said today.
Bachir said Chad's mixed Arab and non-Arab communities in the east had managed to get along well enough in the past, unlike Sudan's Darfur over the border where a raging political and ethnic conflict has killed tens of thousands since 2003.
A government commission headed by Bachir had been sent from N'Djamena to arrange a reconciliation between the chiefs of the two communities.
Interior Minister Ahmat Mahamat Bachir said Tuesday the crew members knew of the intentions of the French non-governmental organization that contracted their services, El Pais reported Wednesday.
Wed, Jul 2 07:50 PMN'DJAMENA (Reuters) - Chad's security forces killed 63 disciples of a Muslim spiritual leader in a weekend assault against his base after he had threatened to launch a holy war, Security Minister Ahmat Mahamat Bachir said on Wednesday.
Giving an updated toll to journalists on Wednesday, Bachir said 63 followers of Ahmat Ismael Bichara and four members of the security forces died in the operation.
Security Minister Ahmat Mahamat Bachir said the death toll was "regrettable.
There was a problem between the Arabs and the Kibets (a non-Arab tribe) one week ago (on October 31)," National Administration Minister Ahmat Mahamat Bachir said Tuesday, without elaborating on the nature of the problem.
Bachir said calm had been restored to the region on November 4.
Following international expressions of concern regarding the fate of Choua and two other opposition politicians (Ibni Oumar Mahamat Saleh and Ngarlejy Yorongar) who were also reportedly arrested, Interior Minister Ahmat Mahamat Bachir said on February 14 that Choua had been "found" and that he was still alive.
It's perfectly clear, the actions were committed in Chad," Bachir said in an interview with French daily Le Parisien published yesterday.
ALMOST MAD Security Minister Bachir said Bichara's followers, whom he described as intoxicated by indescribable extremism.
It cameafter he threatened to launch a holy war, Security Minister Ahmat Mahamat Bachir said today.
Giving an updated toll today, Mr Bachir said 63 followers of Ahmat Ismael Bichara and four members of the security forces died in the operation.
Saying abduction "is more than a crime", Bachir said the air workers could be imprisoned for a number of years.
Bachir said the aid workers forged their visas and would more likely be put to Chad's jails as the offense was committed in the country.
Bachir said Bichara had vowed "to take the holy war as far as Denmark", where the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed has angered Muslims worldwide.
Bachir said the preacher was a "typical suicidal guru", an extremist who was in conflict with Chad's Islamic authorities.
Western diplomats had reported a low, unenthusiastic participation at the polls which appeared to hand Deby only a shaky mandate, but Bachir said turnout was 61.
Internal Security Minister Ahmat Mahamat Bachir said residents in N'Djamena could stay out until midnight, in another sign that life is returning to the city, which was bombarded and looted during a coup attempt a week ago.
The government has confirmed that it arrested former President Lol Mahamat Choua, who Bachir said was "caught red-handed" with the rebels and was under investigation.
out until midnight, in another sign that life is returning to the city, which was bombarded and looted during a coup attempt a week ago.
NDJAMENA (AFP) - Seventy-two people were killed in clashes between supporters of a radical Islamic preacher and police who went to arrest him in Chad, Interior Minister Ahmat Mahamat Bachir said Wednesday.
Security Minister Ahmat Mahamat Bachir said the death toll.